Natural, Nontoxic, Vegan Bed Bug Control

"Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." My parents used to say that to me, but I had no idea what bed bugs were. Nowadays, we have seen a worldwide resurgence in bed bug infestations, and the problem will continue to spread, as bed bugs hitch rides on travelers' clothing and other items packed in suitcases. Even my apartment complex issued a warning saying that if they discovered a bed bug infestation, they had the right to destroy my property. Since I am not able to tolerate most chemicals, I looked for a nontoxic, natural solution to destroy bedbugs, and discovered a solution that is so fast and simple it almost defies belief!

This solution has been tested and the results published in peer-reviewed scientific literature. While I have been so far fortunate enough still to have never encountered a bed bug in real life, I wanted to share this solution with everyone whose life has been or will be made miserable by these dangerous pests.

Bed bugs, like most living things, are primarily composed of water. By reducing their water, in effect killing them by dehydration, bed bugs can be gotten rid of in as little as one day.

First, dry out your living space as much as you can. Use a dehumidifier to bring the relative humidity down to a very low level (preferably less than 25%). Make sure to unplug all electrical appliances to prevent a spark from igniting at such low humidity (naturally, you will have to leave the dehumidifier plugged in). Extinguish all pilot lights and cut off the gas to them. If you do not want to invest in a dehumidifer, wait for a day with less than 25% humidity.

Second, you want to heat up your living space to an extremely high temperature. For fastest results, heat up your living space to 120°F or 47°C. When the temperature has reached that level, let it remain at that level for at least one hour. The bed bugs will suffer dehydration and die when they have lost 45% of their body weight.

Be aware that it is necessary to leave your living space at 120°F for at least one hour. It can take many hours to heat up a living space to that temperature. In addition, bed bugs can retreat to cool places in mattresses and upholstered furniture, as well as cracks between baseboards and trim, so you may have to repeat the treatment many times to completely eradicate the infestation, or you may have to leave your living space for up to three weeks until the bed bugs starve. Using a far infrared (FIR) heating pad on upholstered furniture and mattresses may help accelerate the process, as will sealing up cracks in the baseboards, trim, and other places bedbugs may retreat to.

Washing your clothing and linens at temperatures exceeding 140°F or 60°C in the washing machine will kill bedbugs at all stages of their life cycle. Tumble dry clothing and linens at a temperature greater than 104°F or 40°

Do not expose yourself, pets, or plants to these high heat conditions.

Be aware that many objects in your home (plastics, carpet, furniture made with particle board, even clothing and upholstery made with synthetic fabrics) will emit toxins at high heat levels. Either remove these items or air out your living space completely for at least two hours (windows open, fans exhausting air outside) before you come back into your living space.